TOUGHENING AND STIFFENING EFFECTS OF T-ZnOw WHISKERS ON POLYSTYRENE

The main subject of this work is about the effect of T-ZnOw on the toughness and stiffness of polystyrene (PS).In order to avoid the rupture of T-ZnOw during the melt processing,T-ZnOw/PS composites were obtained via the combination of solution blending and injection moulding methods.Although the tensile strength of the composites decreases slightly,the impact strength and tensile modulus increase with the increase of the T-ZnOw content in the matrix.The stiffness and toughness of the composites are enha...     

EFFECTS OF COUPLING AGENTS ON THE CRYSTALLIZATION BEHAVIOR OF PP/T-ZnOw COMPOSITES

The objectives of this paper are to understand the crystallization behavior of polypropylene(PP)composites with surface modified tetra-needle-shaped zinc oxide whisker(T-ZnOw).T-ZnOw was surface modified with different coupling agents,such as silane coupling agents(KH-550,KH-560)and titanate coupling agent(NDZ-105),in order to improve the compatibility between PP and T-ZnOw.DSC and POM were used to characterize the melt and crystallization behavior and the crystalline structures of the composites,respectively.The results show that the surface modified T-ZnOw acts as a nucleating agent of PP crystallization,depending on the coupling agent used for modification.KH-550 and KH-560 have more apparent role in improving the interfacial interaction than NDZ-105 and induce PP crystallization at higher temperature and with smaller spherulites size.The results also suggest that the crystallization behavior depends on not only the content of coupling agent,but also the content of the surface modified T-ZnOw used in the composites.     

中空多壳层TiO2填充对环氧树脂复合材料力学性能的影响

为改善环氧树脂(EP)材料的力学性能, 采用次序模板法合成了TiO₂中空多壳层结构(HoMS)材料, 利用偶联剂对获得的TiO₂ HoMSs进行接枝改性后填充到EP中, 制备了TiO₂ HoMSs/EP复合材料; 并与单壳层TiO₂中空结构进行比较, 研究了壳层数和偶联剂改性对复合材料力学性能的影响规律. 结果表明, 随着壳层数的增加, 复合材料的力学性能增强, 并且偶联剂改性的TiO₂ HoMSs可进一步提高复合材料的力学性能. 在该体系中, 经硅烷偶联剂KH-560改性后的三壳层TiO₂ HoMSs(3S-TiO₂ HoMSs)/EP复合材料的拉伸强度、 断裂伸长率和冲击强度可分别达到71.66 MPa, 7.4%和35.81 kJ/m². 扫描电子显微镜(SEM)断面形貌表征结果显示, 相较于纯EP材料, TiO₂ HoMSs/EP复合材料的断面更加粗糙, 说明TiO₂ HoMSs材料起到了吸收外界应力和阻碍裂纹扩展的作用, 提高了复合材料的韧性, 提升了复合材料的冲击性能.     

EFFECT OF T-ZnOw DIMENSION ON PROPERTIES OF T-ZnOw/PA6 COMPOSITES

As a part of serial work about the application of a tetra-needle-shaped whisker(T-ZnOw) with a spatial structure in polymer composites,this work is focused on the effect of T-ZnOw dimension on the properties of polymer composites. Two kinds of T-ZnOw whiskers with different dimensions(big and small one) are introduced into PA6 composites.Our results show that for the big whisker and the small whisker both,the addition of T-ZnOw induces the mechanical property improvement of T-ZnOw/PA6 composites.Especial...     

Simultaneously Improving the Tensile and Impact Properties of Isotactic Polypropylene with the Cooperation of co-PP and β-nucleating Agent through Pressure Vibration Injection Molding

In this article, crystalline morphology and molecular orientation of isotactic polypropylene(i PP), random copolymerized polypropylene(co-PP) and ?-nucleating agent(?-NA) composites prepared by pressure vibration injection molding(PVIM) have been investigated via polarized light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, wide-angle X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry. Results demonstrated that the interaction between co-PP and i PP molecular chains was beneficial for the mechanical improvement and the introduction of ?-NA further improved the toughness of i PP. In addition, after applying the pressure vibration injection molding(PVIM) technology, the shear layer thickness increased remarkably and the tensile strength improved consequently. Thus, the strength and toughness of i PP/co-PP/?-NA composites prepared by PVIM were simultaneously improved compared to those of the pure i PP prepared by conventional injection molding(CIM): the impact toughness was increased by five times and tensile strength was increased by 9 MPa. This work provided a new method to further enhance the properties of i PP/co-PP composites through dynamic processing strategy.     

Preparation and properties of wheat gluten/rice protein composites plasticized with glycerol

Environment friendly thermosetting composites were prepared by blending wheat gluten(WG) and rice protein (RP) at different weight ratios with glycerol as plasticizer followed by compression molding the mixture at 120℃to crosslink the proteins.Reducing agent of sodium bisulfate and sodium sulfite and crosslinking agent formaldehyde were used to adjust the properties of the composites.Morphology,moisture absorption and tensile properties were evaluated.The results showed that formaldehyde could increase t...     

Modified silica-based isoprene rubber composite by a multi-functional silane: Preparation and its mechanical and dynamic mechanical properties

Modified silica-based isoprene rubber (IR) composite has been designed and prepared by using a multi-functional silane, 2-aminoethyl-2-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)aminoethyl disulfide (ATD), as coupling agent. Such modification significantly improved the dispersity of silica in the corresponding composites, as verified by SEM observation. And the hardness, tensile strength, stress at definite elongation, tear strength and temperature rise as well as the value of dynamic loss coefficient ranging from 0 °C to 80 °C of silica/IR vulcanized composites, are significantly improved, especially with low ATD dosage (2–4 phr). This modification of silica-based IR composite by employing ATD as coupling agent provides a facile and effective method to prepare silica-based rubber composites with improved mechanical properties and low hysteresis.     

Impact of titanate coupling agent on properties of high density polyethylene composite filled with coal gangue

In this study, surface modification of coal gangue (CG) was performed with titanate coupling agent 201 (isopropyl tri(dioctylpyrophosphate) titanate), and the effects of surface modifier on mechanical properties and thermal stability of high-density polyethylene filled with CG (HDPE/CG) and high-density polyethylene filled with modified CG (HDPE/mCG) composites were investigated. The coupling agent was successfully grafted on CG surface through chemical reaction according to the analyses of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and the coupling agent can effectively enhance the hydrophobicity of surface that was verified by water contact angle beyond 90° of modified CG sample. With the introduction of coupling agent, some enhancements of tensile strength, flexural strength, and impact strength were observed in HDPE/mCG compared with HDPE/CG, due to the improved compatibility between mCG fillers and matrix. The increased storage modulus and decreased loss factor of HDPE/mCG composite further confirm the stronger interface adhesion after modification. Moreover, it is found that titanate coupling agent 201 can improve the thermal stability of HDPE/mCG composite to some extent.     

The influence of KH-550 on properties of ammonium polyphosphate and polypropylene flame retardant composites

Ammonium polyphosphate (APP)/polypropylene (PP) composites were prepared by melt blending and extrusion in a twin-screw extruder. APP was first modified by a silane coupling agent KH-550 then added to polypropylene. The surface modification of APP by the coupling agent decreased its water solubility and its interface compatibility with the PP matrix. Limiting oxygen index (LOI) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to characterize the flame retardant property and the thermal stability of the composites. The addition of APP improved the flame retardancy of PP remarkably. The crystal structures of APP/PP composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicated that β-crystal phase PP may be formed. The structures and morphologies of APP, KH-550/APP and APP/PP composites were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM). The mechanical property tests showed good mechanical properties of composite materials. Compared with unmodified one, the impact strength, tensile strength and elongation of modified APP/PP were all improved.     

Mechanical and morphological properties of injection-molded rice husk polypropylene composites

In this work, the investigation of the physical, mechanical, and morphological properties of the rice husk flour/polypropylene composites was performed utilizing various filler loadings and coupling agent. Five levels of filler loading (35, 40, 45, 50, and 55 wt%) were designed. In addition, to help the interaction between fiber and polypropylene matrix, struktol coupling agent was added to the composites. All of tensile strength, Young's modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and impact strength properties of the composites were carried out. Moreover, the 50 wt% filler-loaded composites had optimum tensile strength, flexural strength, and flexural modulus, whereas the 35 wt% of filler loading case was the best regarding Young's modulus, flexural strength, flexural modulus, and impact strength. Furthermore, the scanning electron microscope results demonstrate that as filler loading increases, more voids and fiber pullout occur.     

Evaluation of mechanical properties and characterization of silicon carbide–reinforced polyamide 6 polymer composites and their engineering applications

In this article, the tensile strength, impact, and hardness properties of silicon carbide (SiC) reinforced with polyamide 6 (PA6) are described for the first time. The composites were fabricated by an injection molding method using the SiC with varying weight percentages. The tensile and hardness of SiC/PA6 composites showed a regular trend of increasing tensile strength, impact, and hardness properties with varying weight percentages until 10 wt% and impact strength of SiC/PA6 composites increased up to 5 wt% afterwards decreasing the mechanical properties of the composite with greater weight percentages. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies were carried out to evaluate the SiC/PA6 interactions. The results related to SiC/PA6 composites were compared with those obtained for pure PA6.     

偶联剂对TATB造型粉表面性质及力学性能的影响

采用偶联技术制备TATB造型粉，研究了偶联剂加入前后TATB造型粉的表面行为及其力学性能。结果表明采用偶联技术能够改善TATB造型粉的力学性能和氟橡胶对TATB的粘附。其中，KH550是一种较为理想的改善TATB造型粉性能的偶联剂。     

MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF SMC WHISKER REINFORCED HIGH DENSITY POLYETHYLENE COMPOSITES

A new type of SiO_2-MgO-CaO (SMC) whisker was used to modify high density polyethylene (HDPE).The melting behavior and crystallinity were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).The dispersion of whiskers and interfacial adhesion in the prepared HDPE/SMC whisker composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).The mechanical properties were evaluated by mechanical tests and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA).DSC data indicated that the melting temperature and the crystall...     

Design and characterization of cellulose fibers with hierarchical structure for polymer reinforcement

This paper describes an approach to manufacture hierarchical composites from environmentally friendly materials by grafting cellulose whiskers onto regenerated cellulose fibers (Cordenka 700). Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis were performed to verify the degree of modification. The mechanical properties of the unmodified and modified fibers were analyzed using fiber bundle tensile static and loading–unloading tests. To show the effect of cellulose whiskers grafting on the Cordenka fibers, epoxy based composites were manufactured and tensile tests done on transverse uni-directional specimens. The mechanical properties were significantly increased by fiber modification and addition of the nano-phase into composite reinforced with micro-sized fibers.     

偶联剂在改善天然植物纤维/塑料界面相容性的应用

天然植物纤维界面特性十分复杂,其表面表现出很强的化学极性,导致天然植物纤维与塑料基材界面间相容性差,粘结力小,从而影响了植物纤维/塑料复合材料的冲击强度、拉伸强度等物理力学性能。因此,天然植物纤维/塑料界面相容性是决定复合材料性能的关键问题。本文概述了改善天然植物纤维/塑料界面相容性的常用偶联剂的特点和应用,偶联机理以及研究、应用现状,展望了应用于天然植物纤维增强塑料复合材料的偶联剂未来的研究方向。     

Processing and physical property relationships in injection-molded isotactic polypropylene. 1. Mechanical properties

The aim of the research reported in these two articles was to explore the relationship between processing conditions and the physical properties of different grades of isotactic polypropylene injection moldings and propylene/ethylene copolymers. This first article describes the methods and processing conditions used for molding, together with mechanical test results. Both conventional and shear-controlled orientation injection molding (SCORIM) have been employed for the production of moldings. SCORIM is based on the application of specific macroscopic shears to a solidifying melt, which in turn, facilitates enhanced molecular alignment. SCORIM results in more pronounced molecular orientation than conventional injection molding, which is consistent with the substantial increase in Young's modulus of moldings produced by SCORIM. By controlling the processing parameters it is possible to control and enhance the stiffness without loss of tensile strength. An increase of up to four times in impact strength has been achieved with SCORIM as well as a substantial increase in Young's modulus. The conventional injection moldings containing pronounced molecular orientation exhibited impact resistance well below that for the SCORIM moldings. The mechanical tests carried out at 80°C showed that the high-temperature mechanical properties of all the materials, converted into moldings using SCORIM, exhibited substantial enhancement when compared with moldings of the same material converted by conventional injection molding. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

MMA接枝改性PVC/CaCO3纳米复合材料的力学性能

采用熔融共混法制备PMMA接枝改性纳米CaCO3增韧PVC（PVC/CaCO3）复合材料,并研究了复合材料的力学性能.结果表明,通过表面PMMA的接枝改性,可以显著提高纳米CaCO3增韧聚氯乙烯复合材料的拉伸强度和拉伸模量,在纳米CaCO3颗粒表面PMMA包覆层厚度为2nm时,复合材料的拉伸强度和拉伸模量达到极大值.对比于未处理纳米CaCO3和钛酸酯偶联剂处理纳米CaCO3,PMMA接枝改性纳米CaCO3增韧PVC复合材料的拉伸强度得到较大幅度提高.SEM显示,经过PMMA接枝改性后的碳酸钙在PVC基体中分散均匀,与基体界面结合良好.     

Effects of cellulose whiskers on properties of soy protein thermoplastics

Environmentally-friendly SPI/cellulose whisker composites were successfully prepared using a colloidal suspension of cellulose whiskers, to reinforce soy protein isolate (SPI) plastics. The cellulose whiskers, having an average length of 1.2 microm and diameter of 90 nm, respectively, were prepared from cotton linter pulp by hydrolyzing with sulfuric acid aqueous solution. The effects of the whisker content on the morphology and properties of the glycerol-plasticized SPI composites were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, water-resistivity testing and tensile testing. The results indicated that, with the addition of 0 to 30 wt.-% of cellulose whiskers, strong interactions occurred both between the whiskers and between the filler and the SPI matrix, reinforcing the composites and preserving their biodegradability. Both the tensile strength and Young's modulus of the SPI/cellulose whisker composites increased from 5.8 to 8.1 MPa and from 44.7 to 133.2 MPa, respectively, at a relative humidity of 43%, following an increase of the whisker content from 0 to 30 wt.-%. Furthermore, the incorporation of the cellulose whiskers into the SPI matrix led to an improvement in the water resistance for the SPI-based composites.     

The effects of a silane coupling agent on curing characteristics and mechanical properties of bamboo fibre filled natural rubber composites

The effects of a silane coupling agent on curing characteristics and mechanical properties of bamboo fibre filled natural rubber composites were studied. Scorch time, t₂ and cure time, t₉₀ of the composites decrease with increasing filler loading and with the presence of a silane coupling agent, Si69. Mooney viscosity also increases with increasing filler loading but at a similar filler loading shows lower value with the presence of Si69. The mechanical properties of composites viz tensile strength, tear strength, hardness and tensile modulus were also improved with the addition of Si69.     

Mechanical properties of hybrid glass/sugar palm fibre reinforced unsaturated polyester composites

A research has been carried out to investigate the mechanical properties of composites made by hybridizing sugar palm fibre (Arenga pinnata) with glass fibre into an unsaturated polyester matrix. Hybrid composites of glass/sugar palm fibre were fabricated in different weight ratios of strand mat glass fibres: sugar palm fibres 4:0, 4:1, 4:2, 4:3, 4:4, and 0:4. The hybrid effects of glass and sugar palm fibre on tensile, flexural and impact properties of the composites were evaluated according to ASTM D5083, ASTM D790 and ASTM D256 respectively. Results have been established that properties of hybrid glass/sugar palm composites such as tensile strength, tensile modulus, elongation at break, toughness, flexural strength, flexural modulus and impact strength are a function of fibre content. The failure mechanism and the adhesion between fibres/matrix were studied by observing the scanning electron micrographs of impact fracture samples. In general, the incorporation of both fibres into unsaturated polyester matrix shows a regular trend of increase in the mechanical properties.